Kyle Anderson was one of the top recruits in the Class of 2012. If he's eligible, that's big news for UCLA. / Damian Dovarganes, AP

by Eric Prisbell, USA TODAY Sports

by Eric Prisbell, USA TODAY Sports

The father of UCLA basketball freshman Kyle Anderson said he never had a doubt his son would be cleared to play after a four-month NCAA investigation because he was never told that the NCAA had specific evidence of rules violations.

"I know there were rumors about my family receiving stuff," Kyle Anderson Sr. told USA TODAY Sports in a telephone interview. "I actually moved out of my apartment and live with one of my fraternity brothers so I can save money so I can travel to see Kyle play. For all the rumors that said I received $250,000, ... I am a 50-year-old roommate."

Anderson Sr., also his son's summer league coach, said "anyone who knows this business knows I don't have to shop Kyle around. The vultures are going to come get him. I have a very unique position that the vultures - be it the college coaches or the agents - all know that I am in this business, so there is no reason to bombard me with phone calls because all my ducks are in line."

Anderson Sr. said NCAA officials told him they were not at liberty to tell him why they began investigating his son. Of specific concern to the NCAA was Anderson Sr.'s relationship with agent Thad Foucher.

"I don't know what the protocol is when you have a friend who is in a business and now you have a son in the business," said Anderson Sr., adding that he has known Foucher since Foucher was an AAU coach. "Through the years, our kids have been fortunately represented by Arn Tellem, who Foucher works with. Me and Thad are cool. But it's not like people can say, 'I saw them sitting here or there together.' We were never together. We do know each other, and we do talk on the phone."

There was also questions about the number of unofficial visits Anderson made to UCLA and who paid for them. Anderson Sr. said his son would not have taken any unofficial visits if it had been up to him. Anderson Sr. said his son requested one visit during the three years he has been a nationally recognized recruit, and that was to Arizona.

"We were out in L.A. for Adidas nation or our AAU team was out there playing," Anderson Sr. said. "That's the only time he went out there for visits."

Anderson Sr. said all the information the NCAA requested was given to the association in early August.

"Ben (Howland) really doesn't want me to go into depth about what the NCAA did because they still have to worry about Shabazz (Muhammad) being cleared," Anderson Sr. said. "He has asked me not to do anything to bash the NCAA. I don't want UCLA to have an uphill battle with the Shabazz situation."

Anderson Sr. said he is confident the NCAA will clear Muhammad, who is being investigated in part because of his family's relationship with North Carolina-based financial adviser Benjamin Lincoln.

Scout.com ranked Anderson fourth in the 2012 recruiting class, and the 6-8 forward from Jersey City is expected to contribute immediately for the Bruins.

Muhammad, a 6-5 guard from Las Vegas, was rated No. 2 in the class by Scout.com. He had been practicing with the team until suffering a shoulder injury last week. The school has said he'll miss two to four weeks.

The school officially announced Anderson's status Wednesday afternoon.

"UCLA was informed by the NCAA earlier today that freshman guard Kyle Anderson is eligible to play this season, and that the NCAA has found no evidence to substantiate claims of violations in his case," athletics director Dan Guerrero said in a statement. "I am grateful to all those who were involved in the process."